Aeroplane toy



J. ESLINGER AEROPLANE TOY Dec. 19, 1933.

Filed July lO, 1951 Inventor John Esnge/f 5g, cx;

atented Dec. 1.9, 1933 UNITEDv STATES PATENT OFFICE e Y AEROPLANE TOY John Eslinger, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 10, 1931. Serial No. 549,826

v17 Claims. (Cl. 272-31) My invention relates to improvements in the toy aeroplane disclosed in my application Ser. No. 545,209, led June 18, 1931, wherein a miniature aeroplane travels in a circular path around a vertical pivot under the power of an electric motor located adjacent the pivot.

One object is to provide a new and improved mounting for the. miniature aeroplane which reduces the number of moving parts and enables the motor and the driving parts to'be enclosed to the end that the operation of the toy more closely simulates that of a commercial aeroplane.

The invention also resides in the Vnovel construction of the` support for the aeroplane and the connection for transmitting the motive power to the aeroplane.

Another object is to provide a miniature aeroplane mounted as above described in combination with a beacon light adapted to follow the aeroplane in its flight around the circular path. j

A further object is to. providev a novel arrangement of springs for exerting a variable counterbalancing action on the aeroplane.

Other Objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of an aeroplane toy embodying the. novel features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the supporting and driving mechanism with certain of the parts shown in vertical section.

Fig. 3A is a fragmentary side elevational view of a part of the supporting mechanism.

to a supporting or landing surface includes an` elongated tubewhich, fora purposeY tor later appear, is composed oftelescoping sections 9` and 10 with the end of the section 9 projecting into the side ofthe aeroplane slightly rearwardly of the'longitudinal center of gravity of the plane. This end is surrounded by a sleeve 11 Vrotatable relative tol the body of the aeroplane and having a bevel gear connection 12 with the propeller shaft 7i The aeroplane is thusadapted to turn about a transverse and a substantially horizontal axis defined by the supporting tube section 9.

The opposite end of the supporting tube is mounted to turn about a vertical axis and also to tilt about an adjacent and substantially horizontal axis. Such a mounting is formed, in the present instance, by a flexible tube inthe form of a helical coil 13 of wire into one end of which the tube section 10 ts snugly and is-extended for a short distance, being securely held by making the tube slightly ared at its end as indicated at 14a.

The other end of the coil projects through a sleeve 14 journaled in a bearinnr which supports the sleeve in vertical position and is itself mounted on a support preferably in the form of a casing 15 shaped to represent an aeroplane hangar. This bearing comprises a series of balls 16 disposed in raceway 17 seated between a flange 18 on the sleeve and a flange 19 depending from the under side of the hangar roof through which the sleeve 14 projects. A similarly constructed ball bearing 20 is mounted in a recess dened by a flange 2i?av upstanding from the roof of the hangar. The ball raceways have horizontal and vertical surfaces so that the Weight of the sleeve 14 and the parts carried thereby is sustained by the balls with a minimum friction loss while the balls at the same time provide an anti-friction bearing sustaining the lateral thrust to which the sleeve is subjected.

The intermediate portion of the coil 13 is unsupported and therefore is free to bend as shown Vin the drawing so as to allow the tube section 10 to tilt vertically from a substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 in which the aeroplane rests on its landing surface and rthe position shown in Fig. 3 which corresponds to the maximum height to which the aeroplane can ascend. The horizontal axis thus provided by the flexible coils is not, it will be observed, well dened but is located approximately at the center of the unsupported section of the coil 13.

The maximum height to which the aeroplane may rise is determined by a stop at the closed end of a vertically extending slot 21 through which the tube section 10 projects. This slot is formed in an arm 22 rigid with a horizontal plate 23 which is clamped against a washer 24 by-a nut 25 threading onto the upper end of the sleeve 14. The plate 23, the arm 22 and the tube supporting the aeroplane are thus adapted to turnfreely as a unit with the sleeve 14.

To hold the tube section l0 against turning on its own axis, a sleeve 26 fitting loosely onto this section and made rigid therewith by a set screw 27 is formed with flattened sides which are guided in the slot 2l.

Preferably the coil 13 is formed of resilient wire and wound so that it has an inherent tendency to straighten out and thereby exert a bending moment on the tube section l() whichv tends to raise the outer end of the supporting tube there` by exerting a counter-balancing action on the aeroplane. The magnitude of this counter-bal ancing action is determined by the effective length of unsupported spring between the sleeve 14 and the tube section l0 and may be varied as desired by changing the extent to which the section is extended into a coil.

In order that the aeroplane may comevto a stop in full night for the purpose of looping the loop as disclosed in the application aforementioned, additional spring means is provided for increasing the counterbalancng effect on the aeroplane automatically as the latter rises and completely overcoming the weight of the plane when the latterl reaches its maximum height (Fig. 3). In the present instance, this means comprises a pair of coiled contractile springs 28 anchored at one of their ends to lugs 29 on a yoke which is apertured at its center to receive the tube section 1() and which abuts against the upper end of the coil 13. The other ends of these springs are adjustably anchored to arms 30 upwardly inclined from the end of the plate 23 cp posite the arm 22. The mean line of action of these springs extends substantially longitudinally of the upper end of the coil 13 but when the plane is at rest or dying at a low level, this line of action is disposed somewhat below the horizontal axis about Which the tube section 10 tilts. Under this condition the springs actually counteract the lifting action applied to the aeroplane by the coil 13.

The effective lengthof the coil 13 and the line of actionof the springs 28 are adjusted as above described so that the resultant lifting action exerted on the plane in its lowermost position (Fig. nearly but not completely overcomes the weight of the plane. Then as the plane rises the effect of the coil 13 decreases but the line of action of the springs 28 moves closer to the tilting axis increasing the lifting action applied to the As the line of action of the springs 28 passes over center relative to the tilting action (see Fig. 3) and the springs thereby augment the force exerted by the coil 13, the entire weight of the aeroplane is overcome and thereafter the springs will continue to maintain the maximum height of the aeroplane while the same is looping or ying at a low speed. If the speed of the plane is increased to the proper degree while the tube section 10 is thus upwardly inclined, the centrif ugal force developed will tend to move the tube into horizontal position thereby causing the aeroplane to descend to a lower level in which the counterbalancing action of the springs will no longer overcome the weight of the plane and the latter may make a landing if desired.

The aeroplane propeller` is driven by an elec-V tric motor generally designated by the numeral 31 housed within the hangar 15 and mounted on a base plate 32 with its shaft 33 vertically disposed and preferably in alignment with the axis of the sleeve 14. The shaft is supported by a thrust bearing 34 and may carry a fan blade 35 to induce circulation of air over the motor parts for cooling them.

The upperend of the motor shaftA is joined shaft 36 enters.

established between the shaft 36 and the pro-l by a universal coupling extending through the coil 13 to a wire shaft 36 disposed between the tube sections 9 and 18 and having an eye 37 (Fig. 4) beyond the end of the tube section 9 seated in notches 38 in the end of the sleeve l1 on the side of the aeroplane opposite that from which the A driving connection is thereby peller 8.

Preferably the universal coupling is in the form of a helical coil 39 of wire having one end turned onto threads on the upper end of the motor shaft 33 and the other end formed with an eye interengaging with an eye 40 on the end of the wire shaft 36. It will be apparent that with this driving connection thus constructed, the rotary motion of the motor shaft will be transmitted to the propeller at all times during the movement of the aeroplane around its circular path regard less of the height at which the plane may be iiying. Flexing'of the coil 13 as the plane rises in its flight causes a lengthening of the driving connection tending to force the eye 37 out of the notches 38. To prevent this, a shoulder 41 (Fig. 4) is formed on the wire shaft 36 within the tube section l0 in position to vabut against the section 9 when the sections are held in assembled relation by a set screw 42 in a collar 43.

By constructing the tube which supports the aeroplane in two telescoping sections, assembly and dis-assembly of the toy for purposes of shipment or repair are materially facilitated. Thus with the set screws 27 and 42 loosened and the springs 28 unhoolredfrom the arms 30, the sec tions 9 andi() may be shortened and the end of the section 10 withdrawn from the coil 13 to enable the eye 40 to be unhooked from the coil 39. The sleeve 26 may then be removed and the tube and the aeroplane separated from the supporting parts.

In order to simulate a commercial aeroplane iiying at night, a beacon light 44 rising above the hangar is adapted to direct a beam of light onto the aeroplane as the latter traverses its circular path. To this end the light is adjustably mounted on the upper end'of a tower 45, the .base k of which is secured to the four corners of the plate 23. The beacon light is thus mounted to turn with the aeroplane about the vertical axis of the sleeve 14 and the light from the beacon will play on the aeroplane in its flight around the circular path. Preferably the beacon is supplied with current from the same source as the motor. 'lo this end one terminal of the current supply may be connected to the lamp of the beacon through the metallic parts which support the aeroplane while the other terminal is joined to the lamp by an insulated conductor including a brush 46 engaging a circular contact strip 47 mounted on the flange 2l.

Fromthe foregoing it will be apparent that with the mounting herein provided for the aeron plane, the electric motor and all of the parts of the power transmitting connection are enclosed which renders the operation of the aeroplane more realistic. Furthermore, the stator of the motor is stationarilymounted which avoids the use of wiping contacts rfor carrying the motor current. The result ofv this construction is that the aeroplane when in operation closely simulates 'l Va commercial aeroplane circling around its hangar. Y

No claim ismade herein to the" subject matter common torthis applicationv and myA copending' to which the present application is subordinate.

I claim as my inventionz' 1. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane having a driving propeller, an elongated tube having oneend extending into said aeroplane and rotatably supporting the aeroplane to Vturn about ,a substantially horizontal transverse axis,'a laterally iiexible tubular member having one end mounted to turn'about a vertical axis and the other end secured to said tube, the intermediate portion of said member being flexible to permit the aeroplane to ascend from and descend to a landing surface while travelling in a circular path about said vertical axis, an electric driving motor adjacent said vertical axis, and a exible driving connection between said motor and said propeller extending through said member and said tube. Y

2. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a.

miniature aeroplane, an velongated tube disposed in substantially horizontal position and` having one end extending into the side of said aeroplane and providing a rotatable support therefor, a casing adapted to be supported on a landing surface for said aeroplane, an electric motor housed within said casing, a sleeve projecting through thetop wall of said casing and mounted to turn about a vertical axis, a helical coil of wire having one end secured to said sleeve and the intermediate portion bent to receive one end of said tube at its other end, a shaft operatively connected to the propeller of said aeroplane and extending through said tube, and a helical coil of wire disposed within and extending through said first mentioned coil and providing a univer'- sal driving connection between said shaft and the shaft of said motor. Y

3. In an aeroplane toy, the combination -of a miniature aeroplane, an elongated tube supporting said aeroplane to turn about an axis extending transversely of the aeroplane body, a flexible tubular member having one end secured to said tube and the other end mounted toturn on a vertical axis, a shaft extending through said tube and having a driving connection withsaid propeller, and a helical coil of wire extending through said tube vand connected to the ,adjacent `end of said shaft, and an electric motor, mounted adjacent said vertical axis and having a driving connection with said coil.

4. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane, an elongated tube supporting said aeroplane to turn about an ,axis extending transversely of theV aeroplane body, a helical .coil of wire detachably secured at one end to said tube and having itsrother end mounted to turn about a vertical axis, the intermediate portion of said coil flexing to permit the aeroplane to rise and fall in its night, a shaft extending through said tube and having a driving connection at one end with said propeller, a second helical coil of wire disposed Within said first coil and having one end detachablyconnectedl to said shaft, an electric motor having a rotary driving connection with the otherrend ofsaid'second coil, the'latter serving as auniversal coupling between the motor and said shaft.

5. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplanehaving a driving propeller,

an elongated tube having one end extending intoV said aeroplane and rotatably supporting the aeroplane to turn about a substantially horizontal transverse axis, a vertical sleeve, a base, two sets of balls havingraceways with horizontal and vertical surfaces providing two axially spaced rotary power transmitting connection extending through said sleeve, said member and said tube.

6. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane having a driving propeller, an'elongated tube having one end extending into said aeroplane and rotatably supporting the aeroplane to turn about a substantially horizontal transverse axis, a vertical sleeve, anti-friction bearings supporting said `sleeve and sustaining lateral thrusts exerted thereon, a helical coil of wire having one end received in and secured to said sleeve and the other end receiving the end portion of said tube, the intermediate portion of said coil being flexible to permit the aeroplane to rise and fallin its flight around the axis of said sleeve, a member rigid with said sleeve and having an arm extending transversely of said tube, a surface on said tube cooperating with said member to hold the tube against turning about its'own axis while permitting vertical tilting of the tube, and power driving means for said propeller including a rotary power transmitting connection extending through said sleeve, said coil and said tube.

7. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane having a driving propeller, an elongated tube having one end extending into said aeroplane and rotatably supporting the aeroplane to turn about a substantially horizontal transverse axis, a nexible tubular member extending in a vertical direction and having its lower end supported to turn about a vertical axis, the upper end of said member being secured to the end of said tube opposite said aeroplane and the plane turns, means associated with the other y end of said tube and supporting the aeroplane for movement in a circular path about a vertical axis and for ascending and descending in its flight around said path, said last mentioned means inics cluding a flexible tubular member having one M end mounted concentric with said vertical axis to turn about the same and its other end secured `to the end of said tube opposite said aeroplane, an electric motor having a stationarily mounted stator, and a driving connection between said propeller and the shaft of said motor including a section disposed within said member and having a universal action.

9. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of an elongated tube disposed in a generally horizontal position, a miniature aeroplane rotatably mounted on one end of said tube to turn on a transverse axis, a helical coil of resilient wire tending to maintain itself straight and having one end secured to the end of said tube opposite said aeroits to turn on a vertical axis, the intermediate por'- tion of the coil being thereby bent so that the coil, acting through the medium of said tube, exerts a lifting action on said aeroplane tending to counter-balance the weight thereof, and power driving means for the propeller of said aeroplane having a rotary driving connection extending through portion of said spring being bent whereby to causeY a lifting action to be exerted on said aeroplane through the medium of said tube which action decreases as said aeroplane ascends from its landing surface, and a pair of coiled contractile springs disposed on opposite sides of said irst mentioned spring and cooperating therewith to exert a resultant lifting action which increases automatically as the aeroplane rises in its night and at a predetermined level completely overcomes the weight of the aeroplane, and power driving means for the aeroplane propeller having a rotary driving connection extending through said tube.

1l. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of elongated tube disposed in a generally horizontal position, a miniature aeroplane rotatably mountportion of said spring being bent whereby to cause a lifting action to be exerted on said areoplane through the medium of said tube, an auxiliary spring acting on said tube along a line extending generally longitudinally of the upper bent portion of coiled spring, said auxiliary spring cooperating with said first mentioned spring to exert a resultant lifting action on said aeroplane which increases automatically as the yaeroplane rises in its flight, and power driving means for the propeller of the aeroplane including a driving connection. extending through s id tube.

12. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane mounted to fly under its tractive effect in a circular path and to ascend and descend from a landing surface, and spring means partially counter-balancing' the weight of said aeroplane when the latter is'resting on said surface and completely overcoming said weight when the aeroplane reaches a predetermined level.

13. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of means supporting said aeroplane for movement in a ixed circular path and for ascending action on the aeroplane through the medium of the tube. such action partially overcoming the plane, means supporting the other end of said coil weight of said Yaeroplane when said tube is in horizontal position and completely overcoming said Weight when the tube is tilted upwardly at a predetermined angle.

14. In an aeroplane toy, the'combination 0f a housing adapted to rest upon a landing surface, a miniature aeroplane, means supporting saidk aeroplane for movement in a circular path around said housing and to ascend from and descend to said surface including a rotatable member disposed above said housing and rotatable about a vertical axis, a beacon tower rising about said housing and supported by said member, a light carried by said tower and adapted to be directed toward said aeroplane and follow the same in its flight around said path.

15. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane, means supporting said aeroplane to fly in a circular path including a member mounted to` turn on a vertical axis and a beacon light carriedby said member and adapted to be directed toward said Vaeroizlane so as to play on the plane continuously in its flight around said path.

16. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane, an elongated tubeA having one end projectinrf into the side of said aeroplane and rotatably supportingl the plane to turn on a transverse axis, a vertically extending flexible tubular member supported at its lower end to turn on vertical axis, the upper end portion of said member being ilexed laterally with the end thereof vdetachably secured to the end of said tube opposite raidl aeroplane, a wire shaft substantially equal in length to that of said tube, said shaft being disposed within said tube and having one end projecting beyond the tube and connected'to the propeller of said aeroplane, a iiexible coupling within said tubular member having one end detachably connected to the opposite end of saidv shaft, said tube comprising sections adapted to telescope together to afford access to the joint between said shaft and said coupling, and an electric motor having a driving connection with said coupling.

17. In an aeroplane toy, the combination of a miniature aeroplane, an elongated tube projecting into one side of the aeroplane and defining a transverse axis about which the aeroplane is adapted to turn, a sleeve concentric with said tube rotatable in said aeroplane body and having a driving connection with the aeroplane propeller, a shaft extending throughl said tube and having a connection with said sleeve at a point beyond a said tube, said last mentioned connection being disengageable by axial withdrawal of said shaft from the tube, a liexible tubular member rotatably supported at one end to turn about a vertical axis, the other end of said member beingsecured to end of said tube opposite said aeroplane, said aeroplane being adapted to rise and fall by flexing of the intermediate portion of said member, a ilexible universal coupling extending through said member and connected to said shaft, a driving motor connected to the other end of said coupling, and means limiting the' longitudinal movement or" said shaft relative to said tube to prevent disengagement of said second connection upon flexing of said member in a direction to lengthen said coupling.

JOHN ESLINGER. 

